brush·fire
ˈbrəsh-ˌfī(-ə)r 
: involving mobilization only on a small and local scale
brushfire border wars
1
: a fire involving low-growing plants (such as scrub and brush)
2
: a minor conflict or crisis
putting out political brush fires
Examples of brushfire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The blaze started as a 2-acre brush fire on Tuesday near the 600 block of Exxon Road, according to the city.
—Ricardo Delgado, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
The area has experienced other winter brush fires in recent years.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Another brush fire broke out Sunday in Osceola County, sending a plume of smoke into the sky that could be seen from Orange County.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brushfire
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The fire department reported that a large, fast-moving brush fire began in the area.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The blaze started as a 2-acre brush fire on Tuesday near the 600 block of Exxon Road, according to the city.
—Ricardo Delgado, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
The area has experienced other winter brush fires in recent years.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Another brush fire broke out Sunday in Osceola County, sending a plume of smoke into the sky that could be seen from Orange County.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brushfire
Cite this Entry
“Brushfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brushfire. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
